In a game that featured two ties, four lead changes, and two home runs from Zach Cone, the York Revolution came up on the short end of a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Monday night at PeoplesBank Park.
The Revs struck first in the bottom of the first as Alonzo Harris walked on the tenth pitch he saw and stole second. Then with two outs, Michael Burgess capped a nine-pitch at-bat and launched a line drive home run over the fence in right center off of Gaby Hernandez, who was forced to throw 33 pitches in the frame, as York took a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Crabs were quick to answer as Cone hit a two run home run of his own in the following frame off of Victor Mateo to knot the score at 2-2.
The Revs would reclaim the lead in the home half of the second as Derrick Robinson walked, advanced to second on a Luis Cruz single, and came around to score on a throwing error by second baseman Brian Bistagne on a Carlos Triunfel fielder’s choice, making it a 3-2 game.
In the fourth it was Cone again, this time clearing the Arch Nemesis in left to bring home Cory Vaughn who singled to lead off the inning, as Southern Maryland took a 4-3 lead.
Hernandez, who had not allowed a walk or an earned run to the Revs in his previous two starts against them, ran into more trouble in the sixth as he walked four batters, including a free pass to Ryan Dent with the bases loaded. After seven total walks, Hernandez would be lifted for Sam Runion who gave up a sac fly to Robinson and an RBI single to Cruz, as the Revs went back on top, 6-4.
Once again the Blue Crabs responded as they loaded the bases in the top of the sixth with no outs, chasing Mateo from the game. They would then tie the game at 6-6 courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Bistagne, and a run-scoring single from Jose Lozada.
Southern Maryland would take the lead for good in the eighth as Luke Westphal loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman. Zach Wilson would come through with a productive out, hitting a deep fly ball to Jared Mitchell in right to bring home former Rev Luis Alen from third to take the lead 7-6.
The Revs did get the tying run on in each of the last two innings, but were unable to cash in as Cody Eppley picked up his 17th save of the season and the Revs lost their sixth straight, a season high.
The series resumes Tuesday at 6:30 when Blue Crabs lefty Pat McCoy (2-1, 2.66) faces off with Revs righty Curtis Partch (3-4, 4.86) on Wellspan Silver Slugger Tuesday at PeoplesBank Park. Darrell Henry and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:10 p.m. on WOYK 1350 as well as online at woyk1350.com, YorkRevsTV.com and on the WOYK App. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office.
